1445 hrs and the miserable weather continuing throughout the day with winds near to gale force and heavy drizzle up here in the heights of Queensbury.
Mixenden was just below the cloud base and slightly sheltered from the strong westerly but very dark with heavy drizzle.
A walk through the west bank trees failed to find any passerines but the water held 1 female Goosander, 2 Moorhen, 5 Mallard and a pair of Goldeneye with around 50 small gulls.
The Goldeneye were very flighty keeping a good distance away and frequently flying from one end of the water to the other even though I was hidden in the trees making it impossible to get a decent photo. It must be to do with where they come from and if they are used to people as I,ve had Goldeneye at Ogden coming right into the duck feeding area but the birds at Mixenden seem like true wild birds being very unapproachable.
With stronger winds still tomorrow and more cloud and rain forecast its not looking like a good birding weekend at all.
BS